JEDDAH, 7 August 2004 — A delegation of at least 100 businessmen from all over Saudi Arabia will attend the 10th Musiad International Trade Fair and the 8th International Business (IBF) Forum Congress in Istanbul to be held from Sept. 15 to 18, according to a source at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
It is by far one of the biggest Saudi delegations to Turkey or any other country and demonstrates the strength and significance of relations between the two countries.
Of the two events, the IBF Congress will open at the Grand Cevahir Hotel and Convention Center on Sept. 15, and last till Sept. 18. Dr. Omer Bolat, chairman of Musiad, will deliver the opening address.
Turkish Minister of State for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen will speak on issues concerning economic integration of Islamic countries in the globalized world, its challenges and opportunities.
This will be followed by speeches by ministers of guest countries, including Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister of Malaysia, and Tayyip Erdogan, prime minister of Turkey.
There will be a panel discussion on Turkey as an international center of Eurasian markets and trade and investment opportunities.
Topics will include attractive sectors for investment, tax incentives and favorable conditions for foreign capital, advantages of free trade zones, and customs union and its effects on third countries.
Country presentations of Iran and Iraq will be made by partner countries’ delegates, and Hakan Kiyici, secretary-general of IBF will make a presentation on IBF Net project.
The four-day trade fair will be inaugurated at CNR Expo Center on Sept. 16. Opening speeches will be followed by country presentations outlining foreign trade and investment opportunities.
The trade fair comprises paper and packaging, food and beverages, machinery, machine tools, electrical and electronic goods, and automotive spare parts, textiles, clothing, leather, carpets, furniture and wood products.
It also includes construction and building materials, iron and steel, transportation and logistics, health care, education and consultation services.
